Page 100 of Shattered Souls
Safe to say, we have all thoroughly worked up an appetite as I sag to the floor and haul her into my arms, pressing a kiss to her temple. I rest my head against the cupboard door while I catch my breath. We can reheat the takeout in a bit once we’ve recovered. Maybe after a dirty shower followed by a clean one because I cannot getenoughof this girl.
27
ROYCE
“Rogue?” Riley questions in confusion when she notices the neon pink sign above the club door before Logan navigates the SUV into an alley that runs up the side of the building. “Eh, you realize we can’t go clubbing with a kid, right?”
My gaze flicks down to where Aurora is passed out in her booster seat.
“We’re not exactly here to grind on you on the dance floor,” Logan retorts with a wag of his eyebrows.
Riley swats his shoulder, and I’m thankful the lack of light in the alley means none of them see my smile. It’s only been one day, but already Riley is more relaxed. She smiles and laughs more. It’s fascinating to watch.
“What are we doing here then?” She glances warily around the alley, and considering we have Aurora in the car, I can’t blame her, but she’s safe here. Dax wouldn’t dare let anything happen to one of us outside his own club.
“Dax owns the building,” I explain to her.
She arches a brow. “Ooookay… Good for him.”
That sarcasm. Makes me want to bend her over and fuck the attitude out of her until she’s begging for me to let her come. Shemust see the feral intent on my face because her cheeks blush—something I notice despite the poor lighting.
“So, it’s suitable for more than getting drunk and dancing to shitty music…”
I stare at her intently, but it’s Grayson who spells it out. “Say, like having a little tête-à-tête with your dear mother.”
Riley’s eyebrows hit her hairline, her focus moving to the back of the club as she runs her tongue along her lower lip. “She’s in there?”
“Yup.” Her eyes snap to mine. “It’s up to you whether you want to go in there. You can sit out here, or Logan can drive you both home if you want to leave it to us.”
She mulls it over, her focus shifting back to the building before dropping to stare at Aurora’s sleeping face. “Dax’s men will be out here, watching her and the car. If she so much as stirs, they know they’re to get one of us immediately,” I tell her, in case that’s what’s holding her back.
Thinking about it for a moment longer, she eventually gives a slow, steady nod. Her eyes lift to mine. I see the determination blazing in their hazel depths before she says a word. “I want to do this.” She rolls her shoulders as if preparing for a fight. The action is cuter than it has any right to be. “I have a few things I need to get off my chest when it comes to that woman, and when I’m done, I don’t want to think about her ever again.”
There’s my fierce girl.
Unable to help myself, I slam my lips on hers. Her fire, her resilience, it’s so fucking hot. I rasp those exact words against her lips, making her moan before the sound of the others climbing out of the car jolts me out of my lusty thoughts.
I get out, helping Riley slide out behind me. She spares Aurora a final, worried glance but doesn’t waiver. Simply closes the door and turns her back on the car, trusting us to ensure she’s safe. I don’t know if she realizes how much that means—that she’s placing that much trust in us, especially given we’ve just got Aurora back.
I’m desperate to touch her, so I thread my fingers through hers as I search the shadows for Dax’s men. Spotting one, I jut my chin out, and he nods in acknowledgment, a silent reassurance that enables me to focus solely on why we’re here.
All four of us are dressed in dark clothing as we approach a set of concrete steps that lead to a large metal door typically used for deliveries. It’s good that this was able to come together tonight. While we weren’t sure if Riley would want to be involved, the three of us agreed we all wanted to be present for this. We all have our issues to address with Lydia, and Logan has away games all weekend. With only a few weeks until regionals, he can’t afford to skip any more games, not after his display of aggression last week. He’s lucky enough that the Timberwolves agreed to let him play for the Huskies for the remainder of the season. The last thing he wants is to get himself suspended for breaking NCAA rules. Despite everything going on, I know he’s buzzing about Riley being in the stands to watch the Huskies take home that championship cup for the fourth year running.
Grabbing the handle, I wrench open the heavy door. I’m instantly met with the scent of stale beer and damp concrete. Stepping inside, the dim lighting casts long, eerie shadows that dance across the walls and emphasize the low ceiling, making the space feel claustrophobic.
Our footsteps echo as we step further into the space, the metal door slamming shut behind us with a resoundingthunk. Dax appears at the top of a set of short, wooden steps that must lead up to the club’s main floor. He’s dressed in his typical attire—an expensive, tailored suit that makes his muscles strain against the fabric and his tattoos stand out against his white, ironed shirt.
“Any issues?” I ask.
“No. You sure you want to be the ones to do this?”
Riley huffs out a breath at my side while I answer, “We’re certain. You’ve done more than enough, and we appreciate it, but this needs to be us.” It needs to be Riley.
She needs this.
She needs to look her mother in the eye after what she did.
Selling Aurora. Trying to kill her own daughter… just the thought has my blood boiling. I need to keep a lid on my anger, or I’m liable to snap Lydia’s neck before we truly make her suffer. Her death has been written in the stars since the moment she decided to sell Aurora, but after everything she’s done, she needs to pay before the life drains from her eyes.
